The interview features Michael Wilken-Robertson, Anthropologist and Professor at Cal-State University San Marcos talking about his book, Kumeyaay Ethnobotany: Shared Heritage of the Californias.

For thousands of years, the Kumeyaay people of northern Baja California and southern California made their homes in the diverse landscapes of the region, interacting with native plants and continuously refining their botanical knowledge. Today, many Kumeyaay Indians in the far-flung ranches of Baja California carry on the traditional knowledge and skills for transforming native plants into food, medicine, arts, tools, regalia, construction materials, and ceremonial items. Kumeyaay Ethnobotany explores the remarkable interdependence between native peoples and native plants of the Californias through in-depth descriptions of 47 native plants and their uses, lively narratives, and hundreds of vivid photographs. It connects the archaeological and historical record with living cultures and native plant specialists who share their ever-relevant wisdom for future generations.

KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. In addition to broadcasting the finest programs from around the world, KCET produces and distributes award-winning local programs that explore the people, places and topics that are relevant to our region.

Enjoy this great documentary on Native American Basket Weaving with a special focus on California traditions.

Native American basketry has long been viewed as a community craft, yet the artistic quality and value of these baskets are on par with other fine art. Now Native peoples across the country are revitalizing basketry traditions and the country looks to California as a leader in basket weaving revitalization. There has been a revival in traditional basket weaving, thanks to the work of the California Indian Basketweavers Association (CIBA), which was founded in 1992 under the slogan “keeping the tradition alive.” This episode was made in partnership with the Autry Museum of the American West and CIBA.

Approximately 1,000 years ago, a Native American people called the Kumeyaay lived throughout what is now San Diego County and Baja California. During that time, the Pauwai Valley was occupied by hundreds of Kumeyaay-Ipai living off the land. The Ipai were a linguistic division of the Kumeyaay living in the northern part of what is now San Diego County. The Kumeyaay were still in Poway until the early 1900s. The evidence of their lives and work can be seen today at the Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center, founded by a partnership with the Friends of the Kumeyaay, the San Pasqual Band of Indians, and the City of Poway.

As a reminder, because Rose Creek flows through the traditional lands of the Kumeyaay, every month we spotlight we spotlight an aspect of Kumeyaay culture, history, news, arts, etc. This month, take the time to read this excellent article Borders and Baskets: How the Creation of Borders Changed Kumeyaay Life by Debra Utacia Krol and published online on April 25, 2018

The Kumeyaay are the people who were living in this region when the Spanish arrived. For hundreds of years, their culture was under attack but times are changing. Cuyamaca College and the Tribes of San Diego sponsor Kumeyaay Community College in El Cajon with information on Kumeyaay history, language and culture. Classes are open to anyone and can be used a college level credit at Cuyamaca Community College and potentially other community colleges.

Kumeyaay Community College is dedicated to creating a program of superior education and academic training through Native people’s worldview with an emphasis on the Kumeyaay perspective.

Study ethnobotany and ethnoecology, gain an understanding about the landscape and plants of the area, and/or learn about Kumeyaay history, language, arts and culture.

The Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association publishes the monthly TANF Newsletter with articles of interest to the First Nations of Southern California. The newsletter features historical information, cultural goings on, as well as a calendar of events. For those of us whose ancestors did not live along Rose Creek, taking the time to understand the people whose ancestors hunted antelope and fished along Rose Creek is important.

“The Kumeyaay, Yuman-speaking people of Hokan stock, have lived in this region for more than 10,000 years. Historically, the Kumeyaay were horticulturists and hunters and gatherers.”
To learn more, click here.

As San Diego County’s first museum on an Indian reservation dedicated to the perpetuation and presentation of the local Kumeyaay-Diegueño Native culture, the Barona Museum offers a unique educational journey for visitors of all ages. The Museum’s collection represents thousands of years of history—some objects dating as far back as 10,000 years—and it demonstrates the artistry and skill of the hemisphere’s first inhabitants. ENTRANCE IS FREE!

The Museum offers a series of classes called Ancient Voices Speak. Due to the popularity of these classes, they fill up quickly. To guarantee your spot in the class, you must call the Museum and pre-pay for the class. Barona Tribal Members receive free registration (see exception below), but must RSVP ahead of time. All classes are open to the public and lunch is included for all classes.

To learn more about this amazing resource on the people who lived along Rose Creek for thousands of years, visit the Museum website.